Gear-grinding machine



June 8,1926. 1,588,076

A. L. wlLDER GEAR aanname MACHINE Filed April 30, 1923 2 sheets-sheet 1" Fig. 1 .y

A. L. WILDER GEAR GRINDING MACHINE June 8 1926.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 yFiled April 30, 1923 V/I/IIII. Illllu INVENTORI ATTORNEY Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED STA-TES PATENTv OFFICE.l

ARTHUR L. WILDEB, QI' WETHERSFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO PRATT & WHIT- NEY COMPANY, F NEW YORK, N, Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

GEAR-GBINDING MACHINE.

Application led April 30, 1823. Serial No. 635,592.

This invention relates to gear grinders and y in particular to a ginder for' gears preferably provided wit two grinding wheels mounted on a slide so that 'the wheels may `lbe actuated to correctly engage successive l teeth on the gear blank and generate, invvolute tooth curves thereon.

Oneof the objects of the invention isto mount the 'gear blankbeing ground on aurotating. spindle carried in a reciprocating slide movable at right angles to the d1rec. tion of movement of the slide carrying the wheels. A, i

Another object of the invention is to provide s ecial means for guiding andcontrolling tlie relativev movements'of, the wheels and the blank on their respective supporting slides, these means comprising.' a member having a toothed periphery carried preferably by the slide lmounting the wheels. This is adaptedto be engaged by a master gear on the spindle' carrying the blank. u

Another object ofjthe invention is to provide'a modiied form of machine operating upon the same .general principle defined 'in the applicationjofH. D. Tanner, Serial No.;v

544,16, iled'- March .'16, 1922.

Another object of the invention is 'to vide special feeding means forthe blank relative Vto the wheels comprising .meansto advance the member carrying the* toothed periphery in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the slides carrying the Wheel. l

` With these ,-inventioneconsists in the features of construction'and operation set forth in the fol Alowing specification and villustrated in the or adapted for gears-of other types, and that the drawings `are not to beconstrued as de* ning or. limiting the scope of this inven' tion, the 'claimszfappended vto this specification being reliedjgii'pon for that purpose. In thevdrawings:

i v.Figure av plan view of the complete and otherlobj'ects in View, myl

ofthe invention may be otherwise embodied,

--left or right.

partly in section oi' elevation vof this modified form. p In the above mentioned drawings, I have shown but two modifications of thel inventhe appended claims without departing from the spiritof the invention. v

Briefly, my invention in its broadest aspect comprises the following (principal parts: irst, a base; second, a vertically sup,-

ported rotatable spindle carried in a slide movable horizontally along the base; third,

a master gear on the spindle; fourth, means l on the spindle-adapted to support and rotate a work arbor;y fifth, a second slide engagingA l ways on the base so that itmay be move horizontally. in a direction normal to the movement. of the spindle carrying slide;

said 'second slide carrying aA Wheel head, these latter. slides permitting the rotatable the wheelfrotatable about a horizontal axis.

Referring more in detail'to the igures of the`drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I provide a base 10 having substalr sixth, independently adjustablevslides on 'wheel' spindle and abrasive -wheel thereon to'be adjusted to any desired position'with'I tially in the center thereof a support 11l for a rotatable spindle 12 disposed vertically therein. dove-tailed proiections 13 engaging dove- Atailed ways provided horizontally on the base 10. The spindle 12 carried in this sup' port 11 is adapted tobe continuously rofV tated -bv any convenient means not shown.

" 'On the upper horizontal surfaces 15 of the base 10 are provided ways extendingat rright angles to those for the spindle suping .slides 18 which may be adjusted longi- The support 11 is provided' with to be rec'ipro'cated to the which may be clamped in any adjusted angu# lar position v-by means ofthe clamping "bolts 24. The swivelling heads 23 are provided with motors 26 which may be placed in driving connection with the wheel spindles 27 by means of suitable belts 28. The swivelling heads 23 together with the wheels-21 mounted thereon may be moved axially of their spindles 27 by means of suitable screws 30 rotated by a hand wheel 31 fixed directly thereto. On the spindles 27 are the abrasive Wheels 21 each? adapted to contact with work upon one of their plane radial surfaces. As the particular form of the slides 18 andthe parts thereon for mounting the wheels 21 are, or may be, similar to those described in the aboveumentioned application of D. Tanner, further description of them is thought to be unnecessary. ln all positions of adjustment, the wheels rotate about a horizontal axis.

Fastened to the opposite ends of the slide 11 on which i's mounted "the spindle 12 is'anu arch extending completelyv across; .the machine. This arch S5 at its uppermost and central positionis provided with an' adjustable Vplunger 36 which is in direct alignment with the vertical rotating spindle 12 previously referred to. This plunger 36 and also the spindle 12 are provided respectivelywith centers thus `furnishing means for rotatably mounting the work arbor 37'and. the work A between them.`..In this way also, rotation of the spindle 12 provides means to rotate the Work arbor 37 in accordance therewith about the axis of the spindle 12. As above Vdescribed the spindle 12 may be moved to diiierent positions by movementY of the supporting slide 11. v

Detachably fastened to the upper end of the vertical spindle 12 is a. master gear 40,

this being of the same form', pitch, diameter and number of teeth, etc., as the gear' blank A being ground. As this masterl gear 40 must be chosen with particular reference'to the gear being ground and lmust be Achanged whenever the type or size of gears being ground is changed, it is made readily removable. I'his master gear 40 is ada ted to con.v

tact'with internal gear teeth 41 formed on i' a member 42 having anelongated or elliptical opening. This member 4t2, as shown clearly in Fig. l, is slidably mounted `within the vslide 17 carrying the wheel slides 18 and wheels 21. The ferm of this toothed periphery is such that'opp'osite portions have short sections'provided with teeth o'racl: form.

'nase-,07e

These'are disposed on .the periphery of the f opening .directly below the wheels 21. rlfhe' ends ofthe toothed periphery, including all of its toothed outline except those portions which are of rack form, comprisel segments `of internal gears. It will be seen from this construction that rotation of the vertical spindle 12 and its master gear 40 vthereon will force the slide 17 carrying the'wheels to the left and right and also will -force the slide "or support 1]. carrying thespindle y12 to r'e- 'During these movements of the slides 11 and 17, the master gear 40 contacts with the teeth forming the outline of the opening in plate 42. These movements'willtake place simultaneously and in timed relation to each other in such a manner that. the master gear will always be about in an orbital or generally elliptical path. Also, asthe wheels 21 are mounted on the slide 17 and move therewith, they will be alternately advanced and retracted into and out of contact with the work A on the spindle 37. In this way, in-

volute toothed curves will be formed upon the gear blank. vln eiect the relative move ments of the wheels'21 and the blank vA inl ner.

are stationary and the work spindle'is moved ciprocate in a direction normal to the direc tion of movement of the wheel slide 17.

In the Tanner construction the wheels C about while rotating whiereasin the present construction bothfthe work spindlev and the 'wheels have movements in `timed relation to each other.v YThe separate components effect a relative'orbital movement.

'During operation, the work engaging surfaces of the wheels 21 may be adjusted by means of the screws `19 and 30 so that the. slide` `18` and swivelling heads 23 on which they are mounted may be positioned relative to the toothed periphery in member 42 to` properly engagetheY-work A." During this engagement,-the vabrasive surface of one of the wheels 21 is in alignment with oneside of one of the rack teeth on this periphery and the other abrasive surface, when two wheels are used, is in Contact with the oppof site side of 'another rack tooth. ln this Way, when two wheels are used, rotative movement of themaster gear 40 suiicient for it to rbe engaged by all the'teeth in the toothed path in member `42y will cause the abrasive wheels'21 to contact with the opposite sides of diii'erent teeth. .Each of the wheels -21 will be advanced into.l and withdrawn out of contact with the opposite sides of teeth on the gear blank A.. "lhis .action will take place during arelative rolling movement of the mastery ear 40 about the toothed. periphery of mem er 4t2 during whichtime its teeth 12 and blank A is continuous so that engagement of the master gear .40 with the periphery of member 42 reciprocates the support or slide 11 and the slide 1 7. These slides 11 and 17 will be simultaneously reciprocated in a direction at right angles thereto. A

The result of these component movements of the slides 11 and 17 is to roll the blank A about its pitchcylinder while momen- 'tarily in contact with the abrasive surfaces of the wheels 21. To hold the slide in either .then each successive rotation of the blank A will vary the relative positions of the slides 11 and 17 carrying the spindle 12 and wheels 21. In other words,'one complete cycle of movements of the slides 11 and 17 due tothe engagement of the master gear 40 lwith the entire periphery of the toothed outline on member 42 occurs while the master gear 4Q' and blank A rotate somewhat more than acomplete` revolution. The angular or rotative 'position of the blank A therefore with each cycle of operations will be advanced relative to its previous position thus eifecting an indexing o'f the blank A relative to the wheels 21.v In thisway, no s ecial indexing mechanism is required an continuous rotation of the spindle 12 and relative movements of the parts connected therewith as above described will completely grind the tooth curves upon each of the teeth in the blank.

In operation, after the blank A has been mounted in position on the spindle' 12 and -the wheel heads 18 adjusted for the particular .gear tovbe ground, the rotation of this blank A will cause each of the wheels 21 to alternately contact therewith. Also during operation to eect feeding movements ofthe. blank A relative to the abrasive .surfaces ofthe wheels 21, the member 42 may be advanced slightly in a. direction normal to the movement of the slide f17 by means of a suitable screw 46. As shown in Fig.

. 1, this screw 46 is connected by bevel gears 47 to a long shaft or rod 48 suitably mounted on the slide 17 and having a hand wheel 49 on its end.

Coming now to a description of the modivfied -form of the invention shown in Figs.4

ters .have been applied to these parts in rying the work arbor. t -movable at rightl angles'to' the dlrection of movement of the slide 17, rotation of the.

both embodiments of the invention. Instead of the slide 17 having wheels mounted on opposite sides of the work, a slide 17 is provided mounted on the base 10 carrying two adjacent slides 18 respectively movable toward and from each other. These wheel carrying slides 18 on slide 17 correspond in every way (except in respect to their positions) to the slides 18 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In fact this modification may beso designed that identical slides 18 may be used on the slide 17 as on slide 17. In order to move these slides 18 toward and from each other, a screw 19a is provided having right .and left hand threads thereon respectively engaging the two slides 18. Rotation `of this screw 19 by means of the hand wheel 20 shown serves to position the wheels l21 on these slides 18 correctly relative to the work A, and to feed them relative to the 4work during the grinding operation. To hold lthe slide 17 in its operative and inoperative positions duringthe grinding-operation, a spring pressed detent 50 is provided similar shown in Fig. 1.

As shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, the slide 17 is mounted on Isuitable guideways '16 provided on the upper surface of the base 1(). Mounted in this manner the slide 17 is free to move directly toward or from a slide .11 on which is mounted the work spindle l2 and its arbor 37.

The work` spindle 12'is mounted upon slide 11 which in every way corresponds to an arch 35,'may be provided on slide 11 similar to thearch 35 to support thework arbor 37. p

On the portion of the slide 17a directly 'adjacent the vertically disposed Spindle 12 is provided the plate or member 42 corresponding to the member 42 and provided in every way to the detent- 50y t slide 11 shownin Figs. 1 and 2. Th' is` with a similar toothed periphery. This is v adapted toengage with a master gear 40 removably mounted on the spindle 12 car- As the slide 11a. is

spindle 12 and its master gear 40 will cause these 'slides 17 and 11 to be reciprocated to advance and retract the abrasive surfacesv of the wheels 21 laterally into'v and out of engagement with the-work A. The operation of this form ofthe gear tooth grinding machine lis in every way similar to that shown in. Figs. v1 and 2.- For that reason, a description "of the modepofoperation .is not thought to be necessary.

What claim is.: f

1. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a'base, slides thereon movable of said slides, an abrasive wheel on the other of said slides, a master gear on said spindle and a member on one of said slides having a toothed periphery engaged by said master gear to cause engagement. and disengagement ot a gear blank on said spindle with said abrasive wheel.

o. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, slides thereon movable in directions at right angles to each other, a work supporting spindle on one ot' said slides, means to rotate. said spindle. an abrasive wheel on the other of said slides, and means to cause engagement and disengagement of a gear blank on said spindle with said abrasive wheel, said means comprising a master gear on said spindle and a member having a toothed periphery mounted on the slide carrying the abrasive wheel and adapted to engage the master gear.

4. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, slides thereon mounted on independent guideways so that they may be moved in directions at right angles to each other, a rotatable Work supporting spindle on one ot' said slides, an abrasive wheel on the other of said slides, and inter-engaging means on the spindle and slide carrying the abrasive Wheel to cause engagement and disengagement of a gear blank on said spindle with said abrasive Wheel. y

5. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, slides thereon mounted on independent guideways so that they may be moved in directions at right angles to each other, a rotatable Work supporting spindle on one of said slides. an abrasive Wheel on the other of said slides, and gear tooth i 'members mounted respectively on the spindle and the 4slide carrying the abrasive Wheel to cause engagement and disengagement of a gearblank on said spindle with said abrasive wheel.

6. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination. a base, slides thereon mounted on independent guideways so that they may be moved in directions at right angles to each other, a Work supporting spindle on one of said slides, means to rotate the spindle during the grinding operation, a pair of abrasive wheels on and movable With the other of said slides, and means to cause' engagement and disengagement of a gear blank on Asaid spindle With said abrasive Wheels.

7. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, slides thereon mounted on independent guideways so. that they may be moved in directions at right angles to each other, a rotatable work supporting spindle on one of said slides, a pair of abrasive wheels on and movable with the other of said slides, and means constraining the slides to move within a redetermined path to cause engagement anc disengagement of a gear blank on said spindle with said abrasive wheel. y v

tu'. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, a work supporting and rotating spindle mounted thereon, a master gear on said spindle, slides on said base movable respectively v-at rightangles to each other, a member on. one of said slides having an internal toothed periphery, an abrasive wheel adjustably mounted on said slide. and means to rotate the spindle while said gear is in engagement with the teeth on said member, and While said slides are-actuated to engage the wheel with a gear blank on said spindle.

S). A gear grinding machine comprising in `combination, a base, a Work supporting and` rotating spindle'mounted thereon, a master gear on said spindle, slides on said base movable respectively at right angles to each other, a member on one otsaid slldes having an internal toothed periphery, the opposite portions oi' which'have teeth of rack form, an abrasive wheel adjustably mounted on said slide, and means to rotate the spindle while said gear is in engagement with the teeth on said member, and While said slides are actuated to engage the wheel with' a gear blank on said spindle.

10. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, a work supporting and rotating spindle mounted thereon, a master gear on said spindle, slides onsaid base movable respectively at right angles to each other, a member on one of said slides having an internal toothed periphery, a pair of abrasive wheels adjustably mounted on lsaid slide. and means to rotate the spindle while said gear is in engagement with the teeth on said member, and while said slides are simultaneously actuated in a predetermined path to engage the Wheel With a gear blank on said spindle.

11. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination. a base, a Work support'ng and rotating spindle mounted thereo a master rear on said spindle, slides on said base movable respectively at right angles to each other, a member on one of said slides having an internal toothed periphery, a pair of abrasive Wheels adjustable angularly and toward and from each omer on said slide,

and means to rotate the spindle while said gear is in enga ement with the teeth on said member, an While said slides are actuated to engage the wheel with a gear blank on said spindle.

'12. A gear grinding machine comprising in combination, a base, a Work 'supporting and rotating spindle mounted thereon, a master gear'on said spindle, slides on said base movable respectively at right angles to each other, a member on one of said slides having an internal toothed periphery, opposite portions of `which have teeth of rack form, a pair of abrasive Wheels adjustable angularly and Atoward 'and from` each other on said slide, and means to rotate the spindle While said gear is .in engagement with the teeth on said member, and while saidslides are actuated to enga e the wheel with a' gear blank von said spinde. l

In testimony whereof, I hereto affix my isignature.

ARTHUR L. 'WILDER 

